More than a decade after coming to Canada to build a better life for herself and her son, Eva’s world was shaken by an unexpected cancer diagnosis. What began as unexplained symptoms soon led to life-altering news, filling her with fear and uncertainty.
Treatment followed, bringing both physical and emotional challenges. During her recovery, Eva learned about Wellspring Alberta. Though it wasn’t easy to reach out at first, she knew she needed support and a sense of connection.
“At first, I only took programs online. Peer Support was a very good one for me. It was important to have someone to talk to, someone I could share all my fears and worries with. I was so blessed to have this person listening and being kind to me over the phone. Whenever I felt anxious, scared, or depressed, I would just book a peer support call, and right away it helped to calm my mind,” she said.
All of Wellspring Alberta’s programs are grounded in research and evidence-informed practices, designed to support the emotional, social, and practical challenges that come with cancer. For Eva, knowing the programs were thoughtfully developed and led by skilled facilitators helped her feel safe taking the next step.
With guidance and support, Eva chose more Wellspring programs to attend online. She did Breathwork, Qigong and Creative Journaling. Then, without meaning to, she signed up for a writing program that was in person at Edmonton House. When she realized her mistake, she felt hesitant about leaving home and making the 20-minute drive in the winter, but she pushed herself, and she showed up for the program.
“I’m so glad I did!” she said. “When I walked into Wellspring, it was so bright, and the people were so nice,” she said, adding that the art on the walls drew her in immediately, sparking her creative spirit that had been dormant for many years, due to her busy life as a working single mother.
“This was the first time I was able to make new friends and really connect with people on the same journey that I was on. I even found someone with the same type of cancer as I have, and I was so excited to talk with her about it,” she said.
In the months that followed, Eva filled her days with Wellspring programs, signing up for: Zentangle, ACE (Alberta Cancer Exercise), Open Art Studio, Felting, Pottery, Choir, Healing Journey, and Ukulele.
In Healing Journey, Eva says she got a lot of enrichment from levels one, two, and three. She’s now on the waiting list to attend the next level.
“We learned techniques like visualization and meditation, and it was so helpful; I’ve used these to help calm my mind. When I have to go for tests, or I’m waiting for results, the mind starts going … ‘what if’ … but then I use what I’ve learned to centre myself and I say, ‘Today is today – enjoy life now’.”
One day, while participating in the Zentangle program, Eva says she heard joyful music coming from a room nearby.
“When I learned that it was the Ukulele group, I said ‘Oh, I must join that one!’ There was a waitlist, but when I finally got in, I loved it! We play, and sing, and we laugh. I call Tuesdays a sacred day – it’s Ukulele Day!” she said, adding that music at Wellspring has a way of bringing people together. “In choir, we play traditional songs that some people know from their childhoods, and I love the Indigenous songs too. It helps me connect to people’s culture,” she exclaims.
While Eva gushes over all the programs she has taken, describing how they have given her friendship and connection, perhaps one of the most pivotal programs she mentions is one that helped aid her in her financial path.
“Money Matters is the best Wellspring program ever,” she said. “The social worker answered every question I had about finances and returning to work, and she took away all the stress when I had to apply for long-term disability. When insurance threatened to push me back to work while I was still in treatment and not even able to walk properly, the Money Matters social worker helped guide me in how to advocate for myself. I am so thankful for this program. Thanks to their help, I was able to stay at home through my treatment, and I was able to take so many programs – this was so very important to me and to my recovery,” she said.
Now, as Eva begins her gradual return to work, she continues to lean into her Wellspring Alberta community for unwavering strength and nourishment.
“Wellspring is like a sanctuary for me. People there give me hope. We laugh, we learn, we feel normal, and there is just something nice about being connected by our stories. At Wellspring, I can feel myself healing,” she said.